California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom publicly criticized reporters at a Sacramento press conference, accusing the mostly female journalist audience of contributing to what she called a “horrific war on women” by asking off-topic questions during a Planned Parenthood funding announcement.

Press Conference Confrontation

The incident occurred when Governor Gavin Newsom and his wife held a joint press conference to announce $90 million in state funding for Planned Parenthood following federal funding cuts. When reporters asked questions about California’s troubled high-speed rail project and the governor’s Munich Security Conference trip, Siebel Newsom interrupted the proceedings. “I find it incredulous that we have Planned Parenthood here, and women are 51% of the population, and the majority of these questions—all of these questions—have been about other issues,” she stated.

KCRA reporter Ashley Zavala, who serves as president of the Sacramento Press Club, pushed back against the criticism in a follow-up video. Zavala explained that press conferences typically include off-topic questions because they represent rare opportunities for the California Capitol press corps to question the governor directly on multiple issues affecting the state.

Presidential Ambitions Surface

The press conference followed a Marie Claire profile featuring Siebel Newsom, where Governor Newsom made notable comments about his wife’s potential as First Lady. “I think she’d be extraordinary in that role, even if she married someone else and they ran for that office,” Newsom stated, continuing speculation about his presidential aspirations. Siebel Newsom expressed support for the possibility, calling the First Lady position an “incredible platform” and noting the importance of standing up to current national developments.

Background and Context

Siebel Newsom leads two nonprofits focused on gender equality issues and regularly publishes content addressing political division and women’s rights. The funding announcement comes as California positions itself in opposition to federal policy changes affecting reproductive healthcare organizations. The confrontation highlights ongoing tensions between political figures and press coverage priorities, particularly regarding women’s issues and traditional governmental accountability reporting in state politics.